Miniature rose plant

ABSTRACT

A novel miniature rose variety characterized by its red-orange to orange-pink blossoms.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of hardy,dwarf, bush type rose plant of the miniature class; the variety beingprimarily characterized -- as to novelty -- by bright orange pink budsand flowers which in general color effect are similar to Mary Marshall(miniature -- U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,346).

The variety is further characterized by:

An abundance of bloom with flowers borne singly or several to stem inloose clusters.

Some fragrance.

A plant which is vigorous, of rounded upright shape and mat, medium --small foliage with pointed leaflets; the buds and flowers being similarin form to Mary Marshall but of slightly smaller size.

The plant, which has a normal height of 12-14 inches, can easily bemaintained at lesser height by occasional trimming.

A plant which grows and blooms satisfactorily both in greenhouse andoutdoors; is good for growing in pots; and provides excellent gardendecoration as well as cut flowers.

The present variety of miniature rose was originated by me at my nurserylocated at Dallas, Tex., under conditions of careful control andobservation, as a cross between Miss Hillcrest as the seed parent (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 3,027), and Mabel Dot (miniature -- not patented) as thepollen parent.

Subsequent to origination of the variety I successfully asexuallyreproduced it, by cuttings, in my nursery located as aforesaid -- alsoit has been reproduced at the Sequoia Nursery (Ralph S. Moore), Visalia,Calif., the reproductions having run true in all respects.

The color photograph illustrates the variety, including foliage, budsand flowers. Referring now specifically to the new and distinct varietyof miniature rose plant, the following is a detailed description thereofin outline; all major color plate identifications being by reference tothe British Colour Council Horticultural Colour Chart, except wherecommon terms of color definition are employed.

Type: Hardy, dwarf; bushy; seedling; greenhouse; outdoors; cut flowers;garden decoration; potted plant.

Class: Miniature. Variety name: `Hula Girl.`

Flowers: Continuity: continuous -- repeat bloom all season. Fragrance:slight to moderate.

Flowers borne: Singly and several together (three to five) on sturdy,wirey, medium length stems.

Quantity of bloom: Abundant both outside and in greenhouse.

Bud:

Peduncle.--Medium length; slender but sturdy; erect; medium green; hairs-- may be some very short.

Before calyx breaks.--Size -- small. Form: medium long; pointed withseveral foliaceous appendages and some hairs on surface of bud; withfoliaceous parts extending beyond the tip of the bud equal to one-halfor less of its length. Color -- medium green.

As calyx breaks.--Color -- orange-pink to Poppy Red 16/1; opens: samegeneral color. Size -- small.

Bloom:

Size when fully open.--Small, averaging about 30 to 35 mm.

Petalage.--Double 40-45 petals, arranged regularly.

Form.--Full; high center at first, becoming more rounded, with petalsrolled loosely outward, and later at maturity petals become folded attips to give a pointed effect.

Petals: Thick; satiny on inside and on outside surface.

Shape.--Outside petals, broad lanceolate with rounded tip; intermediate-- broad lanceolate with acute tip; inside -- lanceolate with acute tip.

Color: Newly opened flower from a plant grown in plastic greenhouse(August, 1976), Visalia, Calif.

Outside petal.--Outside surface -- near Poppy Red 16/1 with both lighterand darker areas (or veining), thence shading lighter toward the baseand blending into yellow, becoming yellow at base; inside surface --near Poppy Red 16/1, similar to outside surface, thence shading lightertoward base and blending into yellow, becoming yellow at base.

Intermediate petal.--Outside surface -- similar to outside petal, butred shade may be darker (near Vermillion 18/1 or lighter). Insidesurface -- similar to outside petal, but red shade may be darker (nearVermillion 18/1 or lighter).

Inner Petal.--Outside surface -- same as intermediate petal; insidesurface -- same as intermediate petal. General color effect newly openedflowers -- bright orange to orange pink. Three days open -- colorsimilar to newly opened flowers but lighter shade (similar to AzaleaPink 618). Behavior -- Opens well in all weather. Spent petals maypersist for short time then drop off (the bud and flower color may vary-- at times the color may be similar to Azalea Pink 618). Flowerlongevity (May 1976) -- plant in pot 5-7 days or longer. Cut flowers atliving room temperature 4-7 days.

Reproductive organs:

Stamens.--Few or none.

Filaments.--Few or none. Very short.

Anthers.--Dark -- orange red.

Pollen.--Little or none.

Pistils.--Average number.

Styles.--Very short.

Stigma.--Dark; reddish.

Ovaries.--All enclosed in calyx.

Hips.--None.

Sepals.--Permanent; spear shaped; recurved.

Seed.--None.

Foliage:

Leaves.--Compound of five (sometimes three or seven) leaflets; abundant;medium small; leathery; mat.

Leaflets.--Shape: broad lanceolate; apex acute; base rounded or roundedacute. Margin serrate. Color: medium green; new growth -- reddish.

Rachis.--Medium strength; upper side usually smooth but may have a fewtiny short hairs and/or prickles, grooved; underside sparsely thornywith few or no tiny prickles.

Stipules.--Medium long; narrow to medium width, fairly short narrowpoints which turn out usually at about 45° or more.

Growth.--Habit -- dwarf; bushy; upright; much branched. Growth -- freevigorous. Canes -- medium; slender; sturdy. Main Stems -- color: mediumgreen. Thorns: moderately thorny: usually small; straight, inclinedslightly downward; color: brown. Prickles -- none. Hairs -- none.Branches -- color: medium green. Thorns: moderately thorny; shortlength; slender; nearly straight inclined slightly downward. Medium toshort oval base. Prickles: none. Hairs: none. New shoots -- color:medium green (may be slightly reddish outdoors). Thorns: moderatelythorny; color: reddish; straight inclined slightly downward. Prickles --none. Hairs -- none.

The miniature rose plant and its flowers as herein described may vary inslight detail due to climatic, soil and cultural conditions under whichthe variety may be grown; the present description being of the varietyas grown at Visalia, Calif.

The following is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct variety of miniaturerose plant of hardy, dwarf, bushy, upright, much branched habit,essentially as illustrated and described, characterized by buds andflowers of a bright red-orange to orange-pink color resembling the MaryMarshall miniature rose (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,346), the buds andflowers being slightly smaller in size than Mary Marshall; and furthercharacterized by a plant which is vigorous and compact, said plant beingeasy to propagate from cuttings, with medium small, disease resistant,mat foliage, an abundance of bloom, with better than average keepingquality, with flowers borne singly or several to the stem in looseclusters.